In January, school boards throughout Ohio were recognized for their service to children and their communities as part of School Board Recognition Month.

Few people fully understand the scope and far-reaching implications of a board member's responsibilities - the endless string of late-night meetings, numerous school functions to attend, voluminous documents to read and a host of difficult decisions to make. Like many other boards throughout the nation, the Cleveland Metropolitan School Board faced a challenging year and will continue to address important issues as they strive to move CMSD forward.

CMSD and the Mayor's Office saluted the board members' unwavering dedication to Cleveland's schoolchildren with a mayoral proclamation, certificates from the Ohio School Board Association, a recognition video and posters throughout the Central Office thanking them for their service.

To learn more about Cleveland's board members who give freely of their time, read the following brief profiles here.

Attending college is the dream of an increasing number of Cleveland Metropolitan School District students, but with tuition rates rising every year, paying for college has never been more challenging for parents.

To assist students and their families, a new community partnership has been created to help guide parents through the daunting financial aid maze. Cleveland Rocks the FAFSA, hosted by CEO Eric Gordon and Mayor Frank Jackson, was held at the Cleveland City Hall Rotunda on Jan. 11 to assist hundreds of graduating seniors and their families understand the financial aid application process. FAFSA applications must be completed by Feb. 15. READ MORE

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3-R's curriculum ties Design Lab curriculum to
real-world work in U.S. Courthouse

Cleveland Metropolitan School Distict's Design Lab students had a day in court this winter when their social studies teacher Anthony Simeone took them to the Carl B. Stokes U.S. Courthouse.

On the field trip, the sophomores toured the judge's chambers and observed the legal system in action. They witnessed Federal Judge Dan Polster sentence two criminals, preside over a naturalization ceremony and discuss First Amendment rights' court cases with Common Please Judge Holly Gallagher and Attorney Jim Satola. READ MORE

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Princeton summer camp exposes students to
real world of journalism 

Cleveland high school students interested in journalism have the chance of a lifetime to spend 10 days at Princeton University this summer.

Now in its 11th year, the all-expense-paid summer program will give more than 200 high school students from across the country exposure to top journalists. Seasoned journalists from prominent newspapers such as "The New York Times," "The Washington Post" and "The Miami Herald" will facilitate the summer camp. READ MORE

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For every outstanding Cleveland student, there is typically a mom making sure homework is done, school uniforms are clean and lunches are packed. She is also likely to be involved in her child's school.

Parenting.com and the Cleveland Metropolitan School District want to find those moms and recognize them for the positive impact they are having in their school communities. One devoted mother from every state will be chosen. The winners will receive an all-expense paid trip to Washington, D.C., to attend Parenting's 2012 Mom Congress on Education and Learning, April 29 through May 1. The 51 top moms will be celebrated at the three-day conference where they'll connect with leading education experts to exchange ideas about the best ways to improve the nation's schools.

Confident there are many qualified candidates volunteering their time in Cleveland's schools, CMSD encourages its moms to apply. To submit an entry, include a photo and 300-word essay explaining how you or the dedicated mom you know has made a difference in your community's school. The deadline for entries is Feb. 15. To apply, go here. 

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The Cleveland Institute of Art Hosts its 33rd Cuyahoga County Region The Scholastic Art + Writing Competition and Exhibition. 

The Scholastic Art Competition recognizes creative achievement in area 7th-12th grade students. The young artists compete for cash prizes, medals, and scholarship awards. A panel of local professional artists, art educators, writers, and writing educators jury the exhibit and select the awarded pieces from nearly 1,700 entries. Students who receive Portfolio Awards and Gold Key Awards continue to the national competition held in the spring in New York City.

Since its start in 1927, the Scholastic Art Awards have acted as a venue for the community to view the exceptional artwork of public, private, parochial, and home-schooled students between the 7th and 12th grades. It also allows students, parents, and art instructors the opportunity to understand the importance of developing and encouraging creativity and the limitless opportunities bound with an art education. Past winners include Truman Capote, Robert Redford, Andy Warhol and Sylvia Plath.

Go here to view PDF gallery Go here to view SWF

Nominate a school for Fox 8's 'Cool School'

Every week, Fox 8 Cleveland showcases a "Cool School" in Northeast Ohio.

Last year, Lincoln-West High School made the cut, and students celebrated this honor with a rally. (Search the Fox 8 Cool Schools gallery to view the 2010 Lincoln-West video.) 

There are many great schools in the Cleveland Metropolitan School District that have reason to brag about their academic achievements, athletic prowess and exceptional teachers. Show your CMSD school spirit and nominate your cool school. Go here, scroll down and look for the "Cool Schools Nomination" box on the right side of the page. Make sure you complete all the boxes and then submit your entry.

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